The Travel Corporation (TTC) and its numerous holiday brands (Trafalgar, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki and Costsaver) have announced their newly enhanced Covid-19 related protocols and hygiene standards for all of its guided holidays once domestic and international travel resumes.
TTC’s executive and operations’ team members have spearheaded a complete review of the sanitation and hygiene measures around guests’ experiences and interactions while on their guided holidays, from the moment they meet their Travel Directors and Trip Managers, to travelling on coaches, the hotels they will stay in, and the immersive excursions they will experience on each trip.
“As we adapt to this new world, our dedicated TTC team members across the globe are preparing and will be implementing enhanced training, procedures and numerous new measures throughout our various guest experiences offered, with the very best possible care and service. These new protocols will be adapted and adjusted as needed, in a timely manner, as governments define and implement what will be required in each country,” said Brett Tollman, Chief Executive of The Travel Corporation
Tollman confirmed the following important new steps and procedures, which have been implemented to further elevate hygiene protocols and sanitary practices, and to provide travellers with the much-needed peace of mind during their travels, in these new times. TTC is ready to comply with new testing and physical distancing and hygiene protocol requirements by relevant government authorities and in accordance with the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO).
TTC is also helping lead the way for our industry to come out of this, by sharing its best practices with various other important industry players who are active members of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). WTTC has taken the important lead of driving the definition of new measures and protocols, with the goal to have all governments approve these as expeditiously as possible, across the 10 sectors that WTTC is focused on.
“As we prepare for the return of travel globally, the safety of our staff and guests have to be a key focus for the entire industry. Our team has taken this responsibility very seriously and has developed protocols proactively to reassure travellers who are ready to see the world once again,” says Teresa Richardson, The Travel Corporation MD South Africa.
Expertly trained Travel Directors: TTC’s Travel Directors and Trip Managers will be trained in these new and enhanced hygiene and physical distancing procedures.
A full team of support 24/7: Not only will these Travel Directors and drivers take great care and concern for each guest on these guided journeys, but further, behind the scenes, TTC’s operations and guest support teams are in contact with them and on call 24/7, so Travel Advisors and their clients can rest assured that they are in good hands.
Stringent on the road protocols: Drivers will now be trained with the latest hygiene protocols and will clean and disinfect all surfaces including handrails, door handles, tables, seats, air-conditioning filters and overhead lockers on a daily basis. All of TTC’s guests will be asked to follow hygiene practices recommended by the WHO.
Trusted partners: TCC is very selective in who they work with and choose to only use hotels, restaurants, ground handlers and venues that take the health and well-being of their guests as seriously as TTC does and agree to meet expected guidelines and specifications.
Physical distancing: TTC will be adapting to the right-size groups, based on government distancing requirements.
Smaller groups, more personal space: With Luxury Gold’s and Insight Vacations’ smaller groups and customised coaches with fewer seats, guests will enjoy more personal space on board. Smaller groups also mean less queuing whilst embarking and disembarking, as well as at hotels and attractions, so it is easier to maintain a comfortable physical distance.
In the know
As part of TCC, each travel brand is kept up to date with government advisories and travel alerts and is continually in touch with their partners on the ground in each destination. Now, under TTC’s new protocols, their teams will work to try and ensure that their supplier partners (hotels, restaurants, museums and other venues) are also applying the same, new required hygiene and distancing protocols, to the extent possible.
